Drive-chain.



No. 7|3,%02. Patented Nov. II, 1902.

C. 'W. HUNT.

DRIVE CHAIN.

(Application filed May 1, 1902.;

. (No Model.)

0 w w v m Irv UNITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. HUNT, OF WEST NEW BRIGHTON, NEW YORK.

DRIVE-CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION formingpart Of Letters Patent No. 713,102, dated November1 1, 1902. Application filed May 1,1902. Serial No. 105,466. (No modeh)To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES WALLACE HUNT, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing in West New Brightomborough of Richmond, city of NewYork, State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Drive-Chains, of which the follow" ing is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forminga part hereof.

.This invention relates to drive-chains which are made up of a series ofsets or groups of links, the links of one set or group being pivotallyconnected with the links of the next set or group by a pivot-pin whichpasses through the overlapping ends of the links of the two sets orgroups.

One object of the invention is to increase the flexibility of suchchains with reference to the longitudinal axis, so that they may besuccessfully used to connect wheels the axes of which are not parallel.Incidentally to the carrying out of this object'of the invention thelinks are also strengthened where strength is most needed. As a furtherresult, also incidental to the primary obiect of the invention, thelubrication of such chains is facilitated.

A further main object is to protect such chains as much as possible frombecoming clogged with dirt, and particularly to prevent the wearing ofgrooves in the flanges of the chain-wheels by the protruding ends of thepivot-pins.

The invention will be more fully described hereinafter with referencetothe accompanying drawings, in which theinvention is illustrated, and inwhich- Figure 1 is a plan view of a chain constructed in accordance withthe invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of such a chain as that shownin Fig. 1 on the plane indicated by the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is aView similar to Fig. 2, but showing links of a slightly different formin cross-section. Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of the chain shownin Fig. 1, the washers being removed. Fig. 5 is a similar view of achain with the washers in position. Fig. 6 is a detail View, in sideelevation, of one of the double washers shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings as embodied in a chain inwhich the links a of successive sets or groups alternate and in whichthe links are formed on one side with drive-teeth, the links bearingdirectly upon the pivot-pin b, by which they are connected.

It will be obvious that the invention is not restricted in thisapplication to chains of the particular construction and arrangementrepresented in the drawings, such construction and arrangement beingshown for conveniencein explanation of the invention. In accordance withthe invention. each link has its greatest thickness approximately in aplane which includes the axes of both of its pivotholes 0, so that whensuch links are assembled they shall bear laterally against each otheronly in the plane of their greatest thickness. As representedin Fig. 2,the links may have rounded sides, or, as represented in Fig. 3, thelinks may be prismatic in cross-section, with fiat faces. The particularform of the links in cross-section, as will be understood, is notmaterial, it being essential merely that the links shall bear againsteach other substantially in a longitudinal line and that the plane ofsuch bearing shall substantially coincide with the plane of thepivotalaxis of the links. Whatever may be the particular form of the links itwill be seen that the bearing of the links against each other, asdescribed, instead of a a bearing of flat faces one against another,permits the links to incline one way or the other upon the pivot-pin toan extent which is limited by the bearing of the links upon .the pins.It is obvious that with an ordinary free fit of the links on the pins aconsiderable torsion. of the chain about its longitudinal axis will bepossible in a substantial'length, so that it will easily be possible togive such a chain a quarter-turn, more or less, if desired. It will alsobe apparent that the thickening of the links as described gives thelinks the greatest strength in the plane where the greatest strength isrequired. Further, since the links bear against each other practicallyin a line, while the pivot-pins must have substantial diameter, and theholes 0 therefor must extend on both sides of the line of bearing thepivot-pins willbe. exposed between the links, as at d,.thus facilitatingthe lubrication of the links on the pivot-pins, whereas if the linksbore against one another with parallel sides the lubrication of thebearings of the links on the pivot-pins would be imperfectlyaccomplished or would require the provision of special means to permitaccess of the lubricant.

Chains of the general character of that shown and described herein arecommonly used with flanged wheels, and as such chains are generallyconstructed the pivot pins, which protrude slightly beyond the surfaceof the outside links, eventually wear grooves in the inner faces of thewheel-flanges. Various expedients for obviating this difliculty havebeen suggested heretofore, but they involve a counter sinking of theholes in the outside links, and therefore a weakening of such links orother objections. In chains having links which bear against each otherin a line, as hereinbefore described, the countersinking of the holeinthe outsidelink to avoid the projection of the head of the pin would beparticularly objectionable. For the purpose, therefore, of preventingthe projection of the pivot-pins so as to groove the wheelfianges andfor the further purpose of protecting the chain a double washer e isprovided, which washer may have substantially the same shape as eachlink, except that it does not require to be provided with the teeth f,since its function is to protect the pins and provide a smooth surfaceon the side of the chain and is long enough to receive the ends of twoadjacent pivot-pins. Each hole in the washer is countersunk, as at g, toreceive the expanded end it of the pivot-pin b, the liability to theformation of a wire-edge at the inner surface of the washer beingunobjectionable, since, as before stated, the washerdoes not sustain anyof the strain. Preferably the ends of the washers are extended, as at1', so that the ends of adjacent washers shall nearly meet, and therebysubstantially cover the whole of the chain and leave no space that mightmake uneven wear on the flange of the wheel.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to theparticular form of the parts shown in the drawings and described herein,since it is obvious that the form of parts may be varied considerablywithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim as my invention 1. A chain composed of links and pivotpinsuniting successive sets or groups of links, each link having itsgreatest thickness substantially in the plane including the axes of thepivot-pins,whereby said links bear against one another substantially ina line, substantially as described.

2. A chain composed of links having teeth formed on one side thereof andpivot-pins uniting successive sets or groups of links, each link havingits greatest thickness substantially in a plane including' the axes ofthe pivot-pins, whereby the links bear against one another in a line,substantially as described.

3. A drive-chain composed of links and pivot pins uniting the successivesets or groups of links, each of said links having its greatestthickness substantially in a plane including the axes of the pivot-pins,and washers, each washer having holes countersunk therein to receive theheads of two adjacent pivot-pins, substantially as described.

4. A drive-chain composed of tooth-links, pivot-pins uniting successivesets or groups of links, and Washers, each washer-having holes thereinto receive the heads of two adjacent pivot-pins, substantially asdescribed.

5. A drive-chain composed of links, pivotpins uniting successive sets orgroups of links, and washers, each washer having holes to re ceive theheads of two adjacent pivot-pins and having its ends extended wherebysaid washers substantially cover the sides of the chain, substantiallyas described.

This specification signed and witnessed this 29th day of April, A. D.1902.

CHARLES XV. HUNT. In presence of GEO. S. HUMPHREY, CHAS. E. SIMoNsoN.

